/ 29 October 1999

Netwatch

If the likes of Sandton City make you ill, online shopping in South Africa has been somewhat simplified by www.theshop. co.za. It’s a fairly comprehensive directory of consumer e-commerce in South Africa.

The site doesn’t offer much comment on its listings though, and be wary of claims of low prices – the idea that online selling carries less overheads than the high street, and is hence less expensive, does not yet seem to have filtered through to many of our parochial e-retailers.

After more than 200 years, the Encyclopedia Britannica has grasped the nettle and embraced a new paradigm, and it looks like it’s going to pay off. The venerable encyclopedia is now available free on the Internet at www.britannica.com.

Such has been the interest that the company website has been unable to handle the requests, and is in the process of a high-speed upgrade. So wait a week or so before adding your click to the Britannica’s banner ad revenue.

Search for a doctor or other medical practitioner on www. edoc.co.za. The service, which comes with up-to-date health news, allows you to search by region and come up with a shortlist of the nearest practitioners dealing with your pathology.

The site also lists support groups, information on medicines, and explains medical terminology.

A large section of the site serves the needs of professionals.

ENDS

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